YOURSAY 'Ooi's comments were made in bad taste - the gracious way would be to display humility, apologise and move on.'

Jeff Ooi branded 'anjing kurap', 'pandi kutty'

your say, Yoursay Proarte: Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi is a liability for the DAP and I wonder whether he is a ‘trojan' or simply a guy with a puffed-up ego. Either way he has to resign if he refuses to retract his boorish language.

The fact that he used an insulting Malay term shows it was directed at the Malay staff of the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP). This surely is most unfair as he did not make any qualification and seemed to tar all the Malays at MPPP with the same brush.

DAP has a long way to go to convincing the Malays that it is not a chauvinistic and arrogant Chinese-based party. Ooi's refusal to retract his "kucing kurap" insult seems to reinforce this impression.

He questions MPPP president Patahiyah Ismail's competence but what exactly is his contribution? It is well-known that Ooi is regarded as an 'empty vessel which makes the most noise' in the DAP.

He was stripped of the 'chief of staff' title in the Penang state government because of his non-performance and arrogance. CM Lim Guan Eng must make a stand, otherwise his administration will be labelled 'kucing kurap' as well.

The Rover: Ooi's comments were made in bad taste - the gracious way would be to display humility, apologise and move on.

Emperor: It does not matter who Jeff Ooi is. Maybe he is the most hardworking MP and so on. But please don't use such words to insult people. Perhaps he is under pressure, in which case, he should just resign and go take a good vacation.

Mohamad Abdul Malik: It's has more to do with racial sentiments. Ooi has actually been too arrogant although I believed the council officers were not that efficient either.

But to belittle the lower-rung officers were uncalled for as they were only following orders issued by their superior. Maybe politically in Penang it's good for him to show his supporters his 'fighting spirit' but nationally it's a PR (public relations) disaster for Pakatan Rakyat.

Umno must be clapping their hands with glee for this political stupidity committed by Ooi. It's easier for Umno to tell all those Malays, "See, we told you so."

4Malaysia: Mohamad Abdul Malik, although I agree that Ooi's statement reeked of arrogance (and also frustration), it has nothing to do with race. Only racist people and Umno Baru supporters can twist and turn this issue into a racial issue.

Your allegation has only strengthened the negative racist stereotype some people have of certain ethnic/political groups.

This, at least, is less amusing that the one where a Sarawak opposition leader was suspended indefinitely for calling a state minister "you look more and more like an Umno politician".

So now "Umno" is a dirty word in the Sarawak state assembly.

Fiat Justitia, Ruat Caelum: Not too long ago some disgraceful politicians tore up banners with the CM's image on it. Some even presented the CM with a highly offensive "birthday cake" .

What was the response then from the patriotic citizens who are now demanding Jeff Ooi's head?

Onyourtoes: If political masters can't stand together to defend their colleagues in public, this is what you are going to get. Civil servants, including those at the local authorities, are a bunch of indoctrinated racists with their entrenched sense of entitlement, just like Umno.

Yes, throw one your colleagues and potential competitors to the wolves, why not. It is bad for PKR to condemn Ooi, but I think it is worse for DAP to do the same.

Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow, are you happy now? Look, let's face it; most of you are beneficiaries of the sacrifice of past leaders. So I expect you to think a bit and be more circumspect in your pronouncements.

It is not like I have never told you before - you give these nincompoops in MPPP one inch, they will demand one mile. I know it will come to this.

It looks like I am all alone since this issue cropped up. I declare I am not a fan of Ooi, I don't know him; I don't know friends who know him. So there is no agenda here.

Anonymous #31685940: Arrogance should not be the virtue of a leader. If a leader finds the work of a ‘kucing kurap' is not up to the expectation, then he should be told of his inefficiency politely and corrective actions to be taken. That's why you are the leader and he is a ‘kucing kurap'.

Ooi, you played to the gallery when you call someone "kucing kurap" in front of your audience. So play to the gallery and end it. Just apologise.

The issue is, Ooi, you are not alone, you are from a party, DAP, so whatever you are doing, it is being reflected on the party.

Kawak: Ooi should not be chosen for another term come next general election. Being an MP does not give him the right to use derogatory words even you are frustrated with the inefficiency of the council head and workers.

YF: Being hard working or right does not give one the licence to be arrogant. These are people here and they have feelings. So be humble and tactful.

Pakatan does not need to follow the gangster and arrogant tactics of Umno. That was what got the rakyat to reject Umno, so why follow their folly?

JG: Ooi called you "kucing kurap" and you called him back "anjing kurap", so isn't it now fair and square?

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